MCG sets up dedicated anti-encroachment arm

In a bid to curb unauthorised constructions in the city, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has formed an anti-encroachment enforcement wing that will be vested with powers of carrying out demolition drives against illegal structures.

In a bid to curb unauthorised constructions in the city, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has formed an anti-encroachment enforcement wing that will be vested with powers of carrying out demolition drives against illegal structures.

The nine-member team, which came into effect on January 2, will work independently. Senior town planner BK Saini will be the head of the enforcement wing, said MCG commissioner Vijay Singh Dahiya.

The decision was taken at a meeting held on January 1. Apart from Dahiya, the other senior officials who attended the meeting included chief engineer BS Singroha and chief town planner SC Kush.

The dedicated team has been created for the first time to carry intensive demolition drive and check upcoming illegal constructions.

The senior town planner will be assisted by four sub-divisional officers, an executive engineer and three junior engineers.

"The team started its work today itself and conducted an anti-encroachment drive successfully, even as it witnessed strong resistance from the local people," said Dahiya, who also accompanied the team during the drive on railway roads.

"The team removed several hutments and razed unauthorised portion of shops," he added.

The need of a separate enforcement team was felt after it was found that the development department, which was earlier doing the job, was over burdened with the enforcement duties.

However, the MCG has not increased its staff strength and that may defeat the commissioner's purpose of checking illegal or unauthorised constructions, said a councillor. He added that the MCG's jurisdiction has widened but its staff strength still remains about 1,000, which is too less to perform the corporation's responsibilities.

When asked about it, MCG commissioner said, "We are in the process of increasing staff strength."